Storm Outside Ganado. Oil on stretched canvas, 10x30. Sold.I've been flat on my back with some sort of whole-body illness since Tuesday. Mostly, I've been sleeping. And sleeping and sleeping. I was, of course, terrified that I had swine flu - the route I drove through America took me to nearly all the places where there have been outbreaks - but whatever I had has pretty much passed, and I am up and moving again.
While I was sleeping, spring came to Gales Ferry. Branches that had been bare now have budding leaves. The yellow lawn has turned green. Shoots have appeared on my roses, and there are flowers on the apple trees and the skinny four-pear tree.
I made this painting on the road from Ganado, Arizona, to Canyon de Chelly. A storm was blowing in from the west and taking the light with it. As I painted, the air grew colder, and I painted more quickly, increasingly intent on the moody scene. When I finally looked up, I saw that a Navajo police car had parked at the other end of the pull-off where I'd set up. He drove away when I'd packed up and gotten into the car. It was a little frightening to know that I hadn't noticed him at all, and a little creepy to know that he'd sat there, silent, watching me paint.
6 comments:
He was probably just curious but didn't want to bother you.
Hope you feel better soon! Drink plenty of liquids.
This is my favorite landscape. It is beautiful.
This is a beautiful painting. Love the extra long format. You really captured the drama of the storm rolling in over this vast landscape.
Sheila's probably right, but that's the part of heading out alone plein air that is spooky. I'm lost in my own world when I paint, and completely block out my surroundings.
Hope you're feeling better. :-)
Liz
I love this painting. I can see the progress you have made in this painting. The colors, the mood, I can feel the wind blow threw my hair.
Though I've been rather quiet lately, I've been following your amazing journey visually.
You've so many glorious paintings from this trip that you could fill a gallery.
Hope you feel better soon.
Hi, all, and thank you for the comments. I really like this one, too. And it is better in person.
I do try to paint safely, always in places where there are people and traffic and cell phone service - but I can't do anything about my own vanishing during the act of painting - nor do I want to. So far, so good.
I am feeling better, too. Thanks for your good wishes.
I really like this painting! and have enjoyed going through your blog. I'll be back for sure.
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